India and France joint air exercise Garuda-VI begins.

This is the sixth edition of Exercise Garuda, the last being held at Air Force Station Jodhpur in June 2014. A total of 120 air warriors along with four Su-30 MKI, IL-78 flight refuelling aircraft will participate in the exercise. This is one of the biggest air exercises between the two air forces. The IAF Su-30 MKI will be operating in a simulated operational warfighting scenario along with the French Air Force's multirole Rafale aircraft.

 

The Garuda-VI exercise will be held at France’s Mont-de-Marsan Air Base. ”The exercise will consist of IAF’s 04 Su-30 MKI frontline multi-role fighter jets & 01 IL-78 tanker. IAF’s 02 C-17 Globe Master will provide transport support for induction/de-induction for the exercise”, the IAF tweeted. "The Indian Air Force Su-30 MKI will be operating in a simulated operational war fighting scenario along with French Air Forces multirole Rafale aircraft".

 

India is purchasing 36 Rafale Air Combat multi role fighters from France. About a dozen Rafale fighter jets will be part of the French contingent for Exercise Varuna, the naval exercise between India and France, which is currently underway off the coast of Goa.